State of Delaware Kent County }  To all Persons to whom these presents Shall Come Greeting, Know ye that I John Gilder of Kent County and State of Delaware for divers good causes, and Considerations me thereunto moving, do hereby declare that from and after the twenty seventh day of October, which will be in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirteen my Negro Girl Hester (alias, Hester Turley) Free, and by these presents do hereby Set Free Manumit and enfranchise the said Hester, from and after the Term and time above mentioned it being untill the said Hester shall and will arive to the age of Twenty eight years, and I the said John Gilder do hereby acknowledge that from and after the said twenty seventh day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirteen the said Negro Hester discharged from all Claim of Service and Right of property whatsoever from me my Heirs Executors and Administrators. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, and Affixed my Seal this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred, and ninety seven. John Gilder {seal}

Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of us Test Rachel X Mansfield, her mark, George Slaughter

State of Delaware Kent County }  Be it remembered that on the thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and ninety Eight, personally appeared John Gilder the Master of the said Hester, alias Hester Turley, Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for Kent County afsd. and acknowledged that the above Manumission is the act and deed of him the said John Gilder and the said Negro Hester to be Free according to the True intent and meaning thereof. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal the day and Year above Written. Rich Cooper {seal}

A true Copy attest Simon Wilmer Wilson Recorder

Delaware, U.S., Land Records, 1677-1947, Kent County, Roll: 788, Image 10, Book F, Vol 2, Page 81. Ancestry: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61025/images/31303_221875-00009?pId=2437941

Transcribed 17 Sep 2024 by Nancy Maliwesky